Emma Newlands

A GIFT voucher scheme targeting boutique stores in Edinburgh is plotting a push beyond the capital after doubling in size within its first year of operation.

Love From Indie Street is set to launch in Glasgow and Newcastle next month, with five other cities in the pipeline.

This comes after it grew the stores on its books, including restaurants, florists and gift shops in the Scottish capital, to more than 80.

The business was founded in November last year by Edinburgh entrepreneur Rebecca Christensen, who saw a gap in the market for gift vouchers covering independent ethical and sustainable retailers.

She said she is “delighted” with the growth of what is the first independent multi-store gift voucher business in Scotland.

“Every city that we roll this out to wiIl have a collective of the best independent retailers who will become, like Edinburgh, a strong community of local, traditional and original traders who we’ll promote and support every step of the way,” she said.